AUGUST. 
233 
One may not want all oneself, but friends are always too glad to have 
some ; and a florist, above all others, ought to be “ ready to give.” 
Chrysamhemums. Repot these as they increase in size; stop freely, 
to encourage bushy growth ; iiemr let them flag for want of water. 
These will be my floricultural occupations next month, and I wish 
every owner of a small garden as much pleasure in theirs as I have in 
mine. 
Deal, July 16, 1857- 
GARDENERS’ ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION. 
Our readers will be glad to learn that at the late anniversary dinner of 
this institution, a large sum was subscribed to its funds. Some have 
expressed an opinion that a dinner is an unnecessary expence. Mr. 
Sheriff Mechi, who presided on the occasion, was however of a different 
opinion. On this point he said : “ After long observation, I have 
found that a dinner in connection with a charity is an essentiality. I 
knew a charity once whose officials thought they would save money by 
giving up their dinners, and in lieu of it send round a subscription paper. 
They tried it once, and after the subscription paper was sent round they 
found the sum contributed was £3 135.” He strongly urged that the 
dinner should not be discontinued. Another observation made by the 
Chairman is well worth recording. In rising to propose the toast of 
the evening, (the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution), he said 
that there was great selfishness* in human nature; those who were 
blessed with much were too much disposed to look to and study their 
own comfort, and forget that they had a duty to perform to others, and 
hence it was that institutions such as this were formed. It is too much 
the case that when our gardeners become old and enfeebled we cast 
them off, as being of no further use to us, much in the same way as 
we would an old horse to the knacker’s; but some do not even treat 
their old horses so. He urged that it was our duty to consider the 
misfortunes of others as we would our own, particularly of those who 
contributed so much to our wants and pleasures. 
Mr. Roupell, M.P. for Lambeth, Mr. Sheriff’ Crossley, Mr. Bohn, 
and Mr. Wrench, all replied in suitable terms to the respective toasts 
with which their names were connected. To Mr. Cutler, the secretary, 
thanks were tendered for his active services, and after an evening spent 
in a most agreeable manner, the meeting separated. The room was 
brilliantly decorated with a great profusion of flowers, consisting chiefly 
of Geraniums supplied by Mr. Turner, of Slough, which occupied the 
whole stage behind the Chairman, and completely filled one end of the 
room. At the head of the table were some beautiful exotics, princi¬ 
pally Orchids, sent by Mr. Veitch, of Chelsea, and there was an 
excellent dessert, consisting of Pine Apples, Grapes, and other fruits. 
